In Dire Need of Motivation.....

I love motivational quotes; it is something I've inherited from my mother and grandmother. But as January wears on and I realize how much more winter there is... somedays getting up and getting going is tough. My running dynamic has changed and that is part of what life if all about. Nothing remains the same and it is through this process that we grow.

I love running and I love the challenge of pushing my body to new extremes that I didn't know I had in me. But when it is cold and don't want to run outside and the treadmill is my only option... motivation is hard. It was my intention to post my schedule for the Marden Half Marathon today but I haven't written it yet. Time ran short and excuses ran high.

Then I found myself not wanting even to run today. And the excuses were ever present... I'm tired, I have to teach two classes tonight, I was gone for work from 4:50am yesterday until 6:30pm, I feel a cold coming on.... all quite valid excuses, but it's building the base for my half marathon that counts. It is changing my mindset to dig deep today that will give me the confidence to run when it is hard during a race. So I am pledging that I WILL do my run tonight after work and I WILL finalize my running schedule. And for extra motivation for myself.. at timely quote from the finishing line of the Athens Marathon I ran a few years ago... sometimes we have to look back in order to give ourselves the kick in the butt we need.

New Thing January

One of my resolutions this year is to try one new thing a month.  It doesn't have to be a huge 'thing' just something new to me. 

This month's new thing is my attempt to embrace winter.  Normally in winter I train outside.  But this year I have been a huge wimp.  I meet with a friend to run on Saturday mornings but the other runs I do are inside on the treadmill.  When it is easier and safer to run outside, I will be there.  Aside from running outside I usually hike or snowshoe, but the conservation areas I go to are still closed due to the downed trees from the ice storm. 

So.. this month's new thing.... downhill skiing.  I have never skied before today.  My husband snowboards and my daughter' have learned to ski with their school.  The three of them have been skiing for a couple of years together and I have joked about how it is more fun to hang out in the chalet or at the spa, but really I knew I was missing out on some fun.  At the same time I was feeling like a big scaredy cat. What it I fell and it hurt.  What if I couldn't do it.  What if I was really, REALLY bad at skiing.

I decided to swallow my pride and face my fear of failure and go for it.  I arranged for a lesson, the first available lesson of the day and headed to the ski hill with the most positive attitude I could muster.  This was going to be fun!  Fingers crossed.

My instructor was fantastic.  He was one of the most enthusiastic people I have met.  He taught me the basics on the Teddy Bear hill - snowplough or pizza, French fries for the kids.  After two runs down the kiddie hill, we moved onto Easy Rider.  I practised more snowplough and then moved onto parallel skiing.  After an hour I felt confident enough to go off and try more hills on my own.  The hardest part initially was figuring out how to get off the ski lift, but I got that down after falling a couple of times.

I joined my daughters and we moved onto some of the intermediate hills.  I fell a lot but it was ok, I was shown how to fall on my side.  The only really difficult thing I struggled with was how to get up without taking my ski off.  But I did ski the whole day and had a great time.  I was super impressed with how well my daughters skied.... and completely blown away with my husband's snowboarding abilities.

Skiing was far more fun than staying inside in the chalet.  It was great to be out in the sunshine and fresh air.  And it was really uplifting to try something new and figure out a new challenge.  But most importantly it was a great day with my daughters!

 

 

The rest of the afternoon will be spent finishing my book - as the other part of this year's resolution... on and maybe a few chocolate chip cookies!

I love the start of a new year - although I know technically it is January 22nd.... it's not too late. The New Year brings so much promise of wonderful things that can be accomplished and achieved. It's easy for me to aim for the moon before I acknowledge the work that needs to accompany goals. I'm going to run a sub 4 hour marathon, travel to Europe, write a book....

All of those things have been goals of New Year's past and 1 out of 3 isn't too bad. The book may come someday and never say never about the marathon.

This year my goals are much simplier. This year I am going to focus on creating joy in my life. Yes it sounds like I have a bit of my previous evening's yoga bliss still going on. But I am going to aim for two things that will hopefully make me a little happier and find a bit more fun.

My first goal is to try something new every month. This doesn't have to be a remarkable earth shatterning achievement, although it wouldn't hurt if it was. It just has to be a new experience for me. Something a little scary that takes me out of my comfort zone but something that will give me a new perspective, experience and hopefully broaden my horizon. And no pressure to succeed at the 'new' experience, the idea is just to try something different. If all goes well this weekend, I will be posting my first new experience on Sunday... fingers crossed!

My second goal is to read a book for my own personal interest once a month. I am currently taking two courses, one for work and a nutrition course for my own interest. I have a ton a material to read which is great because I like learning, but I really miss chosing my own books and reading just for fun. My book for January is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. I didn't know this book was being released as a movie when I picked it... I really just liked the title.

Welcome to 2014 and a Clean Slate

So 2013 came and went.  I did accomplish a lot of things.  I just didn't publish them here. 

A quick break down of what happened - I didn't compete in any races. I did do some travelling - New York, Ottawa & St. Augustine.  I got a new job with a lot of opportunities. 

I have kept up on my running and have found a renewed love of yoga.  I only completed on of my 2013 running challenges - to do the Wellington Warrior Challenge. 

Looking forward I have signed up for the Marden Half Marathon on April 12th.  And have committed myself to deepening my yoga practise by practicing daily and attending at least one class a week at the studio I teach at - Awareness Yoga. 

But most importantly I have committed to posting 2 days a week through a group on a website forum through Live Your Legend.  This website is devoted to motivating and inspiring people to do amazing things in their lives. I have followed this group for sometime now and used their goal setting workbood for the past three years. 

So focusing on the future I am pretty excited about the possibilities of 2014. My intention is to regularly post and let everyone know all of the cool things I have been up to and have in store for myself! Here's an example.... I am embracing the frigid temperatures but more importantly the beauty of winter by skating outside on my lunch.  

Weekend Wrap Up

Its sad when this time rolls around on a Sunday night.  I wish weekends could last one day longer.  But no luck.  I shouldn't complain though - I had a stellar weekend. 

Friday night I got together with friends to make some vegan recipes and drink some wine.  The food was good but the company was better.

Saturday morning after my TRX class I ran with some old friends and caught up.  Rick who I ran my first marathon with ran the Pittsburgh marathon at the start of May and smashed our PR of 4:08 coming in at 3:49.  It was fun to run with him again.  And guess what - we ran 8k and I didn't once think about anything but the run!

Then Saturday night a hot tub party - not nearly as exciting as it sounds.  My girls were invited and enjoyed bobbing in the hot tub.

Today the weather was beautiful and I was home alone - unexpectantly.  Thanks to a birthday party and a play date.  I will be away all week for work so I made sure all the house work and laundry was caught up... then I hung out here for a bit.

And with the extra time I had I made a few new recipes - carrot hummus and soft tortillas.

Carrot Hummus

by Denise Boyd Dunlop

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 30 min

6048518

Ingredients

• 1 pound carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tbsp. graham masala
• 4 cloves garlic peeled
• 1/4 cup almond butter
• 2 tbsp. nutritional yeast
• water
• salt & pepper

Instructions

Toss carrots and garlic in oil with graham masala. Roast on parchment line cookie sheet in over preheated to 375 for 30 minutes or until carrots are tender. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Add to food processor with remaining ingredients except water. Begin to process adding water as necessary until mixture has the consistency of hummus. Season with salt & pepper.

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It's Not You, It's Me.

I've admitted that I've been a huge wimp over the past few months and ran on the treadmill a lot.  But with the weather finally turning warm, I've ran outside more often.  I'm gradually building up my distance and my goal is to be running 10k by June 15th.  Last weekend I ran a lovely 8.5k outside and was feeling quite confident in myself to easily reach my goal.

So yesterday I planned my run.  It was raining and I was not in the mood to go outside (I really am made of sugar).  I headed to the gym armed with a spectacular play list and the intention of running 6 miles, just under 10k.  What could go wrong.

I started off very slow for speed 6.2 mph.  I decided that I would increase by 0.2 or 0.3 mph every mile.  Here's my synopsis of how the run went....

Mile 1 - time in 9:45.  Thought running through my head - 'Wow that was really slow.  This playlist isn't as great as I thought it was.  Should I just run 5 miles instead of 6? No - stick it out do 6.'

Mile 1.25 - Thought - 'I'm only running 5. Yes definitely 5 miles.'

Mile 1.45 - Thought - 'JJ Grey & Mofro, The Sun is shining down - why did I put this song on my playlist - its a great song but maybe I would appreciate it more if I was sitting on a porch.... drinking beer.  Yes beer is good.'

Mile 1.77 - Thought - 'Why can't I get into this run?  Do I need better music.  Should I change playlists?'

Mile 1.99 - Thought - 'Good in a few seconds I get to press a button and increase my speed to 6.8.'

Mile 2.13 - Thought - 'Maybe I should turn the TV on.  I can't reach the remote. Never mind.  Thinking of TV - do I like the new Arrested Development?  Its weird seeing the actors older. I wonder what I will look like in 10 years?  I think I look better than I did at 27, but maybe not.'

Mile 2.56 - Thought - 'Are those my feet making so much noise.  I sound like an elephant.  Soft feet, soft feet, soft feet - I should go for a pedicure.'

Mile 2.99 - Thought - 'Good - time to push a button again - up to 7.0.'

Mile 3.07 - Thought - 'Back to Arrested Development - does Portia de Rossi look better with short or long hair?  She's gorgeous either way.  Speaking of hair, I have had highlights and no one has noticed.  They're quite light... does this mean people don't like it and are just being polite? Who cares - I like them and its summer.  But really, no one has said anything.'

Mile 3.25 - Thought - 'Let's make this a game.  I need to get into the run.  Ok - pretend you're on a track.  Seven more times around the track.  Speed work would be better than this treadmill today.'

Mile 3.43 - Thought - 'I haven't even made one lap.  This game is stupid.'

Mile 3.56 - Thought - 'Another JJ Grey & MoFro song, Beautiful World.  Great song.  Not great for this run.  I wish I was on my deck or a patio and the sun was shining.  Hmmmm deck or patio.  I like beer.  How many calories are in a Corona.  I should google that when I get home.'

Mile 3.75 - Thought - `Finally - a good song.  Cold War Kids - Miracle Mile.  How many times would I have to hear this song if I listened to it for the rest of this endless run?'

Mile 4.0 - Thought - 'Ohhh good time to push a button.  7.2 - why does this feel so fast.  Should I hang on to the handle bars?  That would look dumb.  Besides it doesn't count.  Suck it up and run.'

Mile 4.28 - Thought - 'This song is ok - maybe I don't need to hear it a third time.'

Mile 4.5 - Thought - 'Hey two more times around the track.'

Mile 4.67 - Thought - 'Maybe I should go that extra mile.  Screw that - you're almost done.'

Mile 4.75 - Thought - 'One more lap.'

Mile 4.76 - Thought - 'Seriously that's as far as I've gotten?'

Mile 4.80 - Thought - 'Let's count down from 20.'

Mile 4.96 - Thought - 'Should I go that extra.... NO!'

Mile 5.0 - Thought 'Thank God.'

This workout is what I`m chalking up to a character building experience.  I got through it.  From now one I will run long distance outside.  I still have to run 10k but I will happen - just not on a treadmill.

Kids Stuff and Pretty Things

I'm going to start this post by saying I love being a mom.  Usually a statement like this follows up with a giant but.  But no but.

I love watching them forming their own thoughts about the world around them. I love watching them playing their games and trying their best.

I love watching my kids in their activities when it is warm, but not hot, freezing cold, crowded, raining or snowing. 

Here is the way I'll be spending my Tuesday and Friday evenings for the next 3 months... by the way it was quite chilly last evening.

So as much as I love my children and right now I'm attempting to savour as much growth and development as I can there are times where I just don't want to hear Farily Odd Parents first thing in the morning or step over toys in every single room of my house.  I know this won't last for ever and its my mantra at times. 

So here is my saving grace, it's cheesy and I'll admit it.  Running.  In preparation for training for the Road2Hope half I have been pre-training.  I'm working on one 5k run a week at my race pace and gradually building myself up to running 10k.  Through this training I realized how much running helped me not need my 'not lasting forever' mantra.

But despite how much running saves my sanity and helps me be a better mother sometimes a girl just needs something nice.  Check out my new purse. 

I decided to treat myself to this.  I had a rather subdued birthday this year.  Not like this or this from years past.  Mother`s day was cold and not as relaxing as I would have liked.  So a little retail therapy helped out.